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FOX 31 News Special Report: "The Placebo Effect"
Posted: 11.02.2009 at 6:13 PM
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Jonathan Overman got into a serious car accident in 2001
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Do placebos really work or do they trick your mind into thinking you are feeling better?

Read more: Local, Health, Albany, Georgia, WFXL TV, FOX 31 News, Jeff Abeln, Placebo

Jonathan Overman got into a serious car accident in 2001. He ended up having a flat line six times, 13 holes in his lungs, and three holes in his heart. Overman also broke his neck, but after 13 surgeries, three years, and lots of medication he was back on his feet.

He was given placebos on his way to regaining his health.  According to a 2008 study, 45 percent of physicians used a placebo in clinical practice. The most common reasons are to calm the patient and as a supplemental treatment. 

Many think of placebos as pills that have no effect on our body but Doctor Steven Bowman says sometimes they help.

"It's amazing how good some people feel just on placebo, they think it's the best drug they've ever gotten,” says Dr. Bowman.